All Reliance top leaders have to follow this one rule, even boss Mukesh Ambani. What does brain research say about it?
In a rare insight into
Reliance Industries
' leadership philosophy, Chairman Mukesh Ambani has shared the one rule that he expects every top executive in his organisation to follow—maintaining eye contact. The simple yet powerful practice, which Ambani has adhered to for over four decades, has been embedded into the corporate culture of Reliance Industries. Backed by neuroscience, this rule is more than symbolic. It is seen as a tool for building trust, sincerity, and accountability within leadership.
A Cultural Principle Rooted in Sincerity
During a conversation with McKinsey & Company, Ambani explained how the 'eye contact' rule has evolved into an unspoken expectation across Reliance's leadership ranks. He said that since the early years of his career, he had made a conscious decision to always look employees directly in the eye. This, according to him, is a gesture that conveys honesty and alignment with the company's values.
He further noted that leaders at Reliance are encouraged to practice this principle, not just as a formality, but as a reflection of their sincerity. Being able to look colleagues and subordinates in the eye without hesitation is, in his words, a sign that there is nothing to hide or feel ashamed of.
Ambani described this behavioural expectation as a pillar of Reliance's institutional culture. He believes it functions as a kind of insurance—an internal check that keeps the leadership accountable and grounded.
Backed by Brain Science
Interestingly, Ambani's belief in eye contact as a cornerstone of leadership is supported by neurological research. A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explored the effects of eye contact during verbal communication using functional MRI scans. The research revealed that when individuals maintain eye contact while listening to someone speak, several important regions of the brain become active.
These include the cuneus and calcarine sulcus in the visual cortex, which are linked to visual processing, as well as areas like the medial prefrontal cortex and temporoparietal junction, which are associated with interpreting others' intentions and emotions—an essential part of leadership and interpersonal dynamics.
Additionally, the study found heightened connectivity between these regions during eye contact, indicating a stronger engagement in understanding the speaker's intent. In leadership settings, this can translate into deeper communication, better empathy, and improved decision-making.
Leadership Beyond Business
The interview also touched upon what Ambani considers the biggest risk of his career—launching Reliance Jio in 2016. Despite warnings from financial analysts about possible failure, Ambani believed the project's potential to digitally empower India outweighed the financial risks. Even if it hadn't earned returns, he said it would still have counted as the greatest philanthropic contribution by Reliance.
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